My wide grip pull-ups hit a total standstill. For a while in the beginning of my bulk i was banging out 8,8,8, or maybe 8,8,6 on a bad day. Towards the end, it was more like 6,6,4, or 6,4,3. I actually just switched out wide grip pull ups for a bit, for straight arm lat pulldowns, in hopes that I can catch them back up (I also do 1 arm lat pulldowns) because I found with those rep counts, I wasn't hitting them as hard as I needed too, so I feel your pain.

I defintiely feel of a contracting and can focus more on the muscle with lat pulldowns. I know pull ups are better of course over a machine but both have their benefit.

I'm going to be working on them for sure though, pull ups that is.

Yeah Reading some of the ideas here it'll be nice to maybe try hitting the pyramid on a non back day, and if I see the progress with them that makes it feel more worth while rep range wise, then put those back in place. Id much rather be doing those then straight arm. Have you tried those at all? they definitely feel good if done properly.

Yeah Reading some of the ideas here it'll be nice to maybe try hitting the pyramid on a non back day, and if I see the progress with them that makes it feel more worth while rep range wise, then put those back in place. Id much rather be doing those then straight arm. Have you tried those at all? they definitely feel good if done properly.

Yea I do Lat pulldowns/straight arm pulldowns.

Athletic Edge Lead Forum Representative

Disclaimer: The above post is my PERSONAL OPINION and DOES NOT REPRESENT the official position of any company or entity. It DOES NOT constitute medical advice.

My problem is i can't hardly get past 8 reps pullups at bodyweight. So I started using weighted belt with 20 lbs, still 8 reps. Must be a muscle endurance thing. Doing it twice a week is a good idea. This guy crazy bastard: http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...ps_in_5_months

Originally Posted by Anthony21

I defintiely feel of a contracting and can focus more on the muscle with lat pulldowns. I know pull ups are better of course over a machine but both have their benefit.

What's up guys. Yesterday evening was my last deload and things went well. I'm pretty excited to start my new 9 week cycle next Monday. Here was my workout from yesterday.

12/13/12

Squat
135x5
165x5
190x5
190x5
225x2
*I did 225 just to get some semi heavy weight on my back. I forgot what that felt like during this deload ha.

Bench
105x5
105x5
120x5
135x5
145x5

Pendlay Row
135x10
135x10
135x10
135x8

Body weight dips
10, 10, 10, 10

Barbell curls
65x12
65x10
65x8
65x6

Pull Ups
Set 1- 1
Set 2-2
Set 3-3
Set 4-4
Set 5-4
*I had to do these last since the area was being used and I did barbell curls prior to these. I'll definitely work on improving these through out my 9 week run.

So that was my last workout. Nothing fancy or worth bragging about. I need to get use to lifting in my belt. I notice there is a slight gap with the belt in the back. I need to "fill it out" some more lol.

Athletic Edge Lead Forum Representative

Disclaimer: The above post is my PERSONAL OPINION and DOES NOT REPRESENT the official position of any company or entity. It DOES NOT constitute medical advice.

Part of the belt gap is just breaking it in. Don't force it or overwork it like we all did with our baseball gloves growing up. I've had the same belt that I bought in '03 and it fits like a glove (pun intended). It will break in enough over time. If you force it, it can feel like a leather noodle and then you've blown $60-100 on the belt.

Part of the belt gap is just breaking it in. Don't force it or overwork it like we all did with our baseball gloves growing up. I've had the same belt that I bought in '03 and it fits like a glove (pun intended). It will break in enough over time. If you force it, it can feel like a leather noodle and then you've blown $60-100 on the belt.

Good point Ryan. I'm not stressing it much just noticed it yesterday. I'm trying to learn to push my abs against it but it feels like my posture shifts. When I try it when i'm squatting it kind of throws me off and my breathing off as well.

Any tips that you have would be great bro.

Last edited by Anthony21; 12-15-2012 at 09:13 AM.

Athletic Edge Lead Forum Representative

Disclaimer: The above post is my PERSONAL OPINION and DOES NOT REPRESENT the official position of any company or entity. It DOES NOT constitute medical advice.

5x5 is going great for you, don't even consider switching until you stall.

I know i'm not. I guess i'm looking forward to my run with 5/3/1. Looking at all the logs, templates etc gets me excited. I think I will want to run the 5/3/1 bodybuilding template Jim has. I want to work on strength but also get some hypertrophy work in to gain some size.

Athletic Edge Lead Forum Representative

Disclaimer: The above post is my PERSONAL OPINION and DOES NOT REPRESENT the official position of any company or entity. It DOES NOT constitute medical advice.